ATLANTA -- With the arrival of several new stores this month, Subway celebrates the opening of more than 500 stores in Metro Atlanta since its first location in 1977.

This milestone is a testament to the Subway brand and the franchisees who have made it so successful in the Atlanta area -- not to mention the world, as Subway is the planet's largest restaurant chain with over 34,000 locations.

"We continue to offer a dining experience that meets the changing tastes and needs of our loyal patrons, so it is no surprise to see this important achievement," said Christi Estis, director of operations for Subway Development of Atlanta. "We could not have reached this milestone without the dedication of our model franchisees and employees.